Just over a year ago, on 3 October 2002, a couple of hundred Derby County supporters filed into the upstairs meeting room of the Waterfall pub just opposite Derby railway station. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the setting up of a Rams' supporters' trust; the catalyst was the predatory interest of Bryan Richardson in our club.

Those present heard encouraging words from representatives of other supporters' organisations and from Keith Loring, Derby County's then Chief-Executive. The decision was taken to launch a Trust and the embryonic RamsTrust played a key role in making plain Rams fans' opposition to Richardson and his bond.

A year on, and RamsTrust is an established vehicle for Derby supporters to voice their opinions and ask questions on all things black and white. We are regulars in the local media, have our website www.ramtrust.org and our Saturday stall at the Eagle Centre Market.

Our next public event is a Question and Answer evening at the Spot Banqueting Suite on Thursday 16th October from 7.30pm onwards. Entry to the event is free to trust members and £2.50 to non-members refundable if they join on the night. Ex-Rams captain Robin Van Der Laan will again be one of our guest speakers, along with Telegraph Sports Editor Steve Nicholson and Trader columnist Neil Hallam.

Over the year since the Waterfall gathering, the Rams' fortunes have gone from bad to worse, then recovered as George Burley gave us all hope with a new team and some encouraging performances. However, the main issues that helped to bring RamsTrust into being, are still largely present: debt, accountability and the Ownership Question with the small problem of a £2 million lawsuit from a former manager since added.

RamsTrust has no magical solution to these problems, but we will be there asking the right questions, striking a balance between healthy support and constructive criticism. We now need as many of you as possible to join up and take part.